Fever Flashcards
What is an acute fever?
< 7 days
Infection, but not always!
Medication
Transfusion reaction
Inflammatory reaction
What is a fever of unknown origin? (FUO) duration?
> 14d
Just a fever, but no other symptoms
What is a temp?
> 37.8 C orally (100.4F)
38.2 C rectally
37.8 x 9/5 + 32 (C to F)
Fever in alcoholics, very old and very young present how?
Sometimes have a normal temp, or very low grade temp
Kids with high temps can have what?
Febrile seizures
Reasons for fever?
Infectious
Neoplastic
Inflammatory (rheumatic, non-rheumatic, and drug related)
Making an inhospitable environment for pathogens
Most likely causes of fever? 4
U/L respiratory tract infection — viral
GI infection — most acute are viral
UTI — e.coli. Sometimes in old and young, fever might be the only sign they have. Might not have burning, frequency etc. Get urine sample if fever is the only thing
Skin — staph & strep
Which fever reducing medication do you NOT want to use for patients with liver disease?
With kidney disease?